The HKUST Energy Institute celebrated its grand opening in March, with leading scientists and energy experts from around the world participating in the occasion. 

 

The Institute demonstrates the University's commitment to the global development of a sustainable energy future. It will provide a multi-disciplinary platform to bring together scientists to work on cutting-edge research across HKUST and beyond, and coordinate energy programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Some 90 faculty members are currently engaged in energy-related research at the University, with particular strengths in solar cells, fuel cells, solid state lighting and thermal energy technologies. The Institute's diverse portfolio of interests will cover energy generation, storage and distribution, efficiency and policy-making.

 

The keynote speech was given by Dr Christine Loh, Under Secretary for the Environment of the HKSAR, who focused on the evolving picture of energy in Hong Kong and the challenges facing the community, ranging from the city's fuel mix, the regulatory framework for the two power companies, and air pollution. 

 

Other officiating guests included Ms Janet Wong, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, HKUST President Prof Tony F Chan, Executive Vice-President and Provost Prof Wei Shyy, Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies Prof Joseph Hun-wei Lee, and the Institute's Director Prof Tianshou Zhao, also Chair Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and an award-winning researcher in the field (see here).

 

President Chan said that the Institute would engage in emerging energy research that can have a transformative impact over the long term on Hong Kong and the country's energy future. The ceremony was followed by a two-day forum on sustainable energy, with eminent speakers from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Japan and the United States discussing a range of cutting-edge developments involving ocean wind power, environmentally friendly building, cost-effective production of bioethanol, and solar cell design, among others.